- News
- Mar 16, 2026
- 5 min read
Robinson Helicopter Buyers Get a Built-In Crew Chief
The system replaces paper records with a digital platform.
Robinson Helicopter will provide a subscription to Crewchief Systems’ digital aircraft management system to buyers of new R66 NxG and R88 helicopters and the earlier R22 and R44 models, as well as to those handing over helicopters. Crewchief replaces paper maintenance logs with a digital solution that not only simplifies recordkeeping but also provides real-time operational and technical information. Helicopter owners will also be able to order parts directly through their Crewchief platform.
According to a Robinson Helicopter representative, other features include AI assistance in providing visibility into airworthiness directives, inspection requirements, and maintenance status, keeping documentation organized and audit-ready. This proactive digital approach allows operators to continuously monitor aircraft status, improving regulatory compliance and operational confidence.
“Most customers use their own spreadsheets,” said Robinson President and CEO David Smith. “Others do not use anything at all. They keep paper records, and they may have an electronic recordkeeping system or a scanning system. This takes everyone to the next level and also gives us the ability to track fleet maintenance at a more granular level. That way, when customers perform maintenance in Crewchief, we will have access to that information to identify patterns across the fleet and recurring component replacements. We will then be able to understand in advance why this is happening.”
Crewchief was selected because Robinson uses the software to manage its own helicopter fleet. “We evaluated many providers in this field,” Smith said. “It is an impressive platform in every respect. Because it is built into the helicopter, all records for your aircraft are created before you even receive your new helicopter.”
After the initial subscription period, Robinson helicopter owners with Crewchief service will be able to continue using the service and choose various platform enhancements. “We hope that by then, concerns and anxiety over whether or not it is worth it will have disappeared,” he said.
In any case, the helicopter owner also owns any information stored in the Crewchief system and can retain that information even if the service is canceled. “A system like this is only an advantage for the customer,” Smith said. “It is beneficial, but aircraft can be maintained without it, and that is certainly up to the customer.”
“By supporting the transition from paper logbooks, we are providing our customers with the real-time information they need to stay ahead of their maintenance schedules and extend the service lives of their helicopters,” Smith said.
Robinson Helicopter will provide a subscription to Crewchief Systems’ digital aircraft management system to buyers of new R66 NxG and R88 helicopters and the earlier R22 and R44 models, as well as to those handing over helicopters. Crewchief replaces paper maintenance logs with a digital solution that not only simplifies recordkeeping but also provides real-time operational and technical information. Helicopter owners will also be able to order parts directly through their Crewchief platform.
According to a Robinson Helicopter representative, other features include AI assistance in providing visibility into airworthiness directives, inspection requirements, and maintenance status, keeping documentation organized and audit-ready. This proactive digital approach allows operators to continuously monitor aircraft status, improving regulatory compliance and operational confidence.
“Most customers use their own spreadsheets,” said Robinson President and CEO David Smith. “Others do not use anything at all. They keep paper records, and they may have an electronic recordkeeping system or a scanning system. This takes everyone to the next level and also gives us the ability to track fleet maintenance at a more granular level. That way, when customers perform maintenance in Crewchief, we will have access to that information to identify patterns across the fleet and recurring component replacements. We will then be able to understand in advance why this is happening.”
Sponsored by Jet24 global
Crewchief was selected because Robinson uses the software to manage its own helicopter fleet. “We evaluated many providers in this field,” Smith said. “It is an impressive platform in every respect. Because it is built into the helicopter, all records for your aircraft are created before you even receive your new helicopter.”
After the initial subscription period, Robinson helicopter owners with Crewchief service will be able to continue using the service and choose various platform enhancements. “We hope that by then, concerns and anxiety over whether or not it is worth it will have disappeared,” he said.
In any case, the helicopter owner also owns any information stored in the Crewchief system and can retain that information even if the service is canceled. “A system like this is only an advantage for the customer,” Smith said. “It is beneficial, but aircraft can be maintained without it, and that is certainly up to the customer.”
“By supporting the transition from paper logbooks, we are providing our customers with the real-time information they need to stay ahead of their maintenance schedules and extend the service lives of their helicopters,” Smith said.
